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Jérôme Fillol’s 14 week ban sparks debate

Fillol’s suspension was reduced after he showed remorseTom Dulat/Getty

Jérôme Fillol’s suspension yesterday of 14 weeks for spitting at Peter Stringer is bound to reignite calls for bans to last for a set number of matches rather than a specific time.

The Stade Français scrum half pleaded guilty yesterday of the “unprovoked” and “grave” offence by an independent judicial officer. The player’s sentence was originally set at 26 weeks, but reduced substantially because of previous good behaviour and his remorse.

A chunk of his suspension will be during the off-season or pre-season, or when Stade are not involved in Top 14 play-offs, which critics believe renders the ban to a great extent meaningless.

Brett Gosper, the chief executive of the International Rugby Board, had tweeted immediately after the incident, which occurred midway through the…